Dear Parent: At VTech ® we know that a child has the ability to do great things. That’s why all of our electronic learning products are uniquely designed to develop a child’s mind and allow them to learn to the best of their ability. Whether it’s learning about letters, numbers, geography or algebra, all VTech ® learning products incorporate advanced technologies and extensive curriculum to encourage children of all ages to reach their potential.
Copyright Notices Copyright © 2001 VTech® Industries, LLC All Rights Reserved. VTech® and the VTech® Logo are registered trademarks of VTech®. Power Zone™ is a trademark of VTech® Industries, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability VTech® Industries, LLC and its suppliers assume no responsibility for any damage or loss resulting from the use of this handbook.
“This product includes software developed by the Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/).” Alternately, this acknowledgment may appear in the software itself, if and wherever such third-party acknowledgments normally appear. 4. The names “Xerces” and “Apache Software Foundation” must not be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without prior written permission. For written permission, please contact apache@apache.org. 5.
Contents Chapter 1.Introduction ............................................................................... 1 Chapter 2.What’s Included ......................................................................... 2 Chapter 3.Setup ........................................................................................ 2 Power Source ................................................................................... 2 Battery Installation .....................................................................
Auto-Navigation ........................................................................ 14 Manual Navigation .................................................................... 15 Word Games .................................................................................. 15 Spelling ..................................................................................... 15 Analogies .................................................................................. 15 Idioms ................................
Quick Guess .............................................................................. 19 Domino Crisis............................................................................. 19 Memory Block ............................................................................ 19 Golf ........................................................................................... 19 Picture Parts ............................................................................... 19 Typing Challenge .................
First-Time Users: Configuring the VTech® Desktop Software E-mail Agent .................................................................................. 36 Using the Power Zone™ E-mail Application ........................................ 36 The Mailbox ............................................................................... 36 The Menu Bar............................................................................. 36 Using the Menu Bar ...............................................................
Chapter 1.Introduction Thank you for purchasing the VTech® Power Zone™ Plus Desktop learning product! We at VTech® are committed to providing the highest quality products to entertain and educate your children. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-521-2010 in the U.S. or 1-800-267-7377 in Canada. The VTech® Power Zone™ Plus Desktop is an electronic learning aid or ELA.
Chapter 2.What’s Included 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Power Zone™ Plus Desktop learning product Wireless keyboard Vibrating mouse 9V Adaptor Mouse pad Sync Cable VTech® Desktop Software CD-ROM Instruction Manual Chapter 3.Setup Power Source Power Zone™ Plus Desktop requires a total of 8 “AA” size batteries (UM-3/ LR6) (sold separately) • • • Power Zone™ Plus Desktop ’s main cabinet operates on 4 “AA” size batteries (UM-3/LR6) (sold separately) or a 9V 300mA AC center-positive Adaptor.
Battery Notice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Do not use rechargeable batteries. (The use of alkaline batteries is recommended for maximum performance.) Install batteries, observing the correct polarity (+, –) signs to avoid leakage. Do not mix old and new batteries. Do not use different types of batteries. Remove batteries from the product if you are not going to use it for an extended period. Do not dispose of batteries in fire. Do not attempt to recharge ordinary batteries.
AC Adaptor Connection Use a standard 9V Adaptor 300mA AC center-positive . 1. Make sure Power Zone™ Plus Desktop is turned OFF. 2. Locate the Adaptor jack on the left side of Power Zone™ Plus Desktop. 3. Plug the Adaptor into Power Zone™ Plus Desktop’s Adaptor jack. 4. Plug the Adaptor into a wall outlet. 5. Turn Power Zone™ Plus Desktop ON. Important! Do not leave the Adaptor plugged in for long periods of time if Power Zone™ Plus Desktop is not in use.
VTech® Desktop Software Installation The VTech® Desktop Software is a PC application that creates a partnership between your computer and your Power Zone™ Plus Desktop. VTech® Desktop Software shares information with some of the applications on your Power Zone™ Plus Desktop. With VTech® Desktop Software’s Organizer, you can review, add to, and update Calendar, Address Book, Money Manager and other files stored on your Power Zone™ Plus Desktop.
Installing the VTech® Desktop Software Important! Before you begin installation, save your work and quit all applications on your computer. The following items are automatically installed: • • • • • VTech® Desktop Software E-mail Agent Word Processor Test Trainer Editor Additional downloadable activities and data for play on the Power Zone™ Plus Desktop 1. Insert the VTech® Desktop Software CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive on your computer. Setup should start automatically.
5. 6. Type in a name for the new user. This name should typically be your child’s name. If you have multiple Power Zone™ Plus Desktop learning products, the account names must be different for each product. Click on the New User button to confirm the new user name. Installing Other Bundled Applications The VTech® Desktop Software CD-ROM includes additional applications: Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5 Netscape® Communicator 4.76 Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ 4.05 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
• • The actual error message or problem you are receiving. The steps you took to arrive at the error message or problem. Auto Shut-Off If there is no input, Power Zone™ Plus Desktop will automatically shut off after several minutes. This is the product's Auto shut-off feature. After Auto shut-off, you will need to press the POWER button again. We recommend that you turn Power Zone™ Plus Desktop OFF when not playing with it.
Contrast Control Adjust the image on screen by sliding the Contrast control to the right for higher contrast, and left for lower contrast. Volume Control Adjust the volume by sliding the Volume control to the right to raise the volume, and left to lower the volume. Power Button POWER Turn ON your Power Zone™ Plus Desktop learning aid by pressing the POWER button on the category selector. Turn Power Zone™ Plus Desktop OFF by pressing the POWER button again.
Special Keys In addition to the alphanumeric keys, there are special function keys: Esc Player 1 Help Caps Lock Repeat Answer Esc key The Esc key allows you to exit an activity. By repeatedly pressing the Esc key, you can go back to the main menu. Help key When you are not sure about the answer, press the Help key. Help will give you hints, but, at the same time, you will lose a chance to answer the question. Press this key to receive hints in some of the activities.
Symbol key Press the Shift key and the Level key together to see a menu that contains several pages of symbols. Use the direction keys to select a symbol. Press the ENTER key or the left mouse button to confirm your selection. Symbol Level Backspace key To correct an answer before it has been confirmed, or to delete the entry, press the Backspace key. Backspace Direction keys These four keys will move the cursor up, down, left and right.
File Transfer Access to the File Transfer. Use File Transfer to select files that you want to upload to your computer. Smart Card Press this key to access the Smart Card (sold separately). Make sure a Smart Card is inserted properly into the Smart Card slot. For additional information, see the section Smart Cards. Print Screen Press this key to print the current screen. Demo Use the Demo key to demonstrate Power Zone™ Plus Desktop’s activities.
4. Sound Effects This function allows you to change sound effects of certain events, or turn the sound off. 5. Background Music This function allows you to turn the background music on or off. 6. Date & Time Set the date, time and alarm clock. Storing the Mouse and Keyboard The mouse and keyboard can be stored on the back of the main unit. First, place the mouse behind the base of the main cabinet. The mouse cable can fit securely in the cable track as shown.
Activities with Levels and 2-Player Mode ACTIVITY All Word Games All Math Games All Trivia Games All Homework Lab Clue Counter Quick Guess Golf Game Lab Test 1 Lab Test 2 Typing Challenge Domino Crisis Picture Parts Memory Block All Challenge Games All Tools LEVEL 1-4 1-4 1-4 NO 1-4 NO 1-4 NO NO 1-4 1-4 NO 1-4 NO NO 2-PLAYER MODE YES YES YES YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Status Indicators Most activities have two status indicators that appear on screen.
Manual Navigation Activities are divided into Word Games, Math Games, Trivia Games and Homework Lab. You can choose the activity you want to play. Important! The default setting is Auto-Navigation.To change the default mode, go to the Options screen, then select the Auto/Manual option. Word Games Spelling An animation of a word and a clue letter will appear on screen. Guess the word, type the word correctly, and then press ENTER. Analogies A sentence will be displayed with one word missing.
Sound Alike A sentence will be displayed with one word missing. Two words with the same pronunciation will scroll across the bottom of the screen. Select the word that fits the meaning of the sentence. When the correct answer appears on screen, press ENTER. Antonyms A word will be shown. Use the clues to guess the word that has the opposite meaning of the given word. Type the word, and then press ENTER. Synonyms A word will be shown.
Division A division problem will appear on screen. Input the correct answer using the number keys, and then press the ENTER key. Press the FLIP button on the keyboard or click the Flip icon on screen to switch the equation between vertical and horizontal format. Basic Math Fun An addition, subtraction, multiplication or division problem will appear on screen. Input the correct answer using the number keys, and then press the ENTER key.
Trivia Games Sports This game tests your knowledge on a variety of sports. Pick the correct answer from the choices given. Press ENTER when the correct answer appears on screen. Geography This challenging trivia game tests your knowledge of Geography. Pick the correct answer from the choices given. When the correct answer appears on screen, press ENTER. History This challenging trivia game tests your knowledge on World History. Pick the correct answer from the choices given.
Lab Test 2 In this activity, you can view additional simulations of interesting physical & chemical phenomena. Quick Guess An object is hidden in one of three given balls. The balls will move positions. Look carefully. When the balls stop moving, click on the ball that you think holds the object. Domino Crisis Place flying domino numbers together. To clear domino numbers, like numbers have to be placed together in an amount equal to the domino.
